Methods and apparatus for collecting information about portable device usage

ABSTRACT

An example method of collecting information about usage of a mobile device involves monitoring first usage of the mobile device associated with accessing, via the mobile device, a first internet website of a communication service carrier providing a service subscription for the mobile device. The example method also involves monitoring second usage of the mobile device associated with accessing, via the mobile device, a second internet website not of the communication service carrier. The monitoring of the first and second usage is performed on the mobile device. First and second usage information about the first and second usage is collected. The first usage information indicates that the first internet website is an internet portal of the communication service carrier.

PRIORITY

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/824,276,filed Jun. 28, 2007, which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/849,054, filed on Oct. 2, 2006, both of which arehereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

Although cellular phones and other wireless devices were originally usedfor basic call placement, mobile phones now incorporate many newtechnologies and features. For example, data messaging in the form ofSMS or MMS is common. Additionally, internet connectivity over cellularnetworks and wireless internet access points (e.g., using Wi-Fi, etc.)has enabled internet browsing, content downloading, mobile commercetransactions, email activity, and the like.

With the advent of these new features and the services to support suchfeatures, cellular providers and other wireless industry participantshave realized a need for information on usage of these features andservices. Consumer usage information is desirable for advertising,marketing, strategic business planning, and various other business uses.However, obtaining such information has proven to be costly, difficult,or otherwise impossible using conventional data collection techniques.

For example, conventional data collection techniques are unable toobtain usage information related to “on-portal” and “off-portal” usage.On-portal usage refers to interaction with an internet website (e.g.,uploading to, downloading from, etc.) of a carrier providing wirelessservice for the cellular phone, while off-portal usage is interactionwith an internet website which is not affiliated with the carrier.Although on-portal usage may be monitored by the carrier (e.g., bymonitoring internet activity with servers hosting their internetportals), it is difficult and/or impossible for third-parties to monitorsuch usage. Further, off-portal usage cannot be directly monitored bycarriers given that the interaction is not with servers of therespective carriers.

Collection of “on-network” and “off-network” data usage is also limitedusing the conventional collection techniques. On-network data usagerefers to interaction over a network (e.g., a cellular network) of acarrier providing wireless service for the cellular phone, whileoff-network data usage is interaction over a network which is notaffiliated with the carrier. Although on-network data usage may bemonitored by the carrier, it is difficult and/or impossible forthird-parties to monitor such usage. Further, off-network data usagecannot be directly monitored by carriers given that the interaction isover networks affiliated with other business entities.

Conventional data collection techniques are also inadequate to monitorinteractive and/or “real-time” usage. For example, methodologies tomonitor usage associated with streaming media (e.g., mobile TV, internetradio, etc.), interactive gaming, and mobile conferencing have neitherbeen proposed nor devised.

Additionally, many cellular phones and other wireless devices are nowequipped for wireless internet protocol (IP) communication (e.g., Wi-Fi,etc.). Wireless IP usage is difficult to monitor given that suchinteractions are not over a single network or via a single internetserver. Additionally, there are many types of wireless IP networks,which further complicates monitoring such usage. Further, there are manysmall wireless IP networks affiliated with many different businessentities, thereby thwarting usage monitoring by any single businessentity and making payment tracking between the business entities (e.g.,affiliated with the wireless IP networks relinquishing and receivingsubscribers) impossible.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, a need exists to monitor and collect data for portabledevice usage with reduced cost and difficulty. Additionally, a needexists to obtain information for on-portal and off-portal usage ofportable devices, as well as on-network and off-network data usage. Aneed also exists to monitor and collect data for interactive usage ofportable devices. Further, a need exists to obtain information onwireless internet protocol (IP) usage of portable devices. Examples ofthe present disclosure provide novel solutions to these needs and othersas described below.

Examples of the present disclosure are directed to methods and portabledevices for collecting information about portable device usage. Morespecifically, examples provide convenient, efficient, and cost-effectivemethods of monitoring and collecting information abouton-portal/off-portal usage, on-network/off-network data usage,interactive (e.g., streaming media, interactive gaming, mobileconferencing, etc.) usage, and wireless IP usage, where the portabledevice usage is monitored by the portable device itself.

By utilizing components of the portable device itself to monitor theportable device usage, information may be collected across variousinternet portals and/or networks. As such, embodiments enable thecollection of information for on-portal/off-portal usage as well ason-network/off-network data usage. Additionally, the monitoring ofinteractive usage on the portable device provides complete andrepresentative information regarding interactions of the portable devicewith many different servers, systems, portable devices, etc. Further, bycentralizing the monitoring and collection of information related towireless IP usage on the portable device itself, difficulties presentedby the numerous wireless IP networks and/or internet servers incommunication with the portable device, numerous types of wireless IPnetworks, and numerous business entities affiliated with the wireless IPnetworks are reduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements.

FIG. 1 shows an example system for collecting information about portabledevice usage in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows an example process for collecting information aboutportable device usage associated with at least one of an internet portalstatus and a wireless network status in accordance with some examples ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows an example portable device for collecting information aboutportable device usage associated with at least one of an internet portalstatus and a wireless network status in accordance with some examples ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows an example process for collecting information aboutportable device usage associated with at least one of streaming media,interactive gaming, and mobile conferencing in accordance with someexamples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows an example portable device for collecting information aboutportable device usage associated with at least one of streaming media,interactive gaming, and mobile conferencing in accordance with someexamples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows an example process for collecting information aboutwireless internet protocol usage of a portable device in accordance withsome examples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows an example portable device for collecting information aboutwireless internet protocol usage of the portable device in accordancewith some examples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a diagram of example wireless networks grouped by businessentity association in accordance with some examples of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 9 shows an example geographical layout of example wireless networksin accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows an example computer system upon which examples of thepresent disclosure may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to examples of the presentdisclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. While the present disclosure will be discussed in conjunctionwith the following examples, it will be understood that they are notintended to limit the present disclosure to these examples alone. On thecontrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover alternatives,modifications, and equivalents which may be included with the spirit andscope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the presentdisclosure, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, embodimentsof the present disclosure may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components,and circuits have not been described in detail so as not tounnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure.

Notation and Nomenclature

Some portions of the detailed descriptions which follow are presented interms of procedures, logic blocks, processing and other symbolicrepresentations of operations on data bits within a computer memory.These descriptions and representations are the means used by thoseskilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey thesubstance of their work to others skilled in the art. In the presentapplication, a procedure, logic block, process, or the like, isconceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps or instructionsleading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physicalmanipulations of physical quantities. Usually, although not necessarily,these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capableof being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwisemanipulated in a computer system.

It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and similar termsare to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and aremerely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unlessspecifically stated otherwise as apparent from the followingdiscussions, it is appreciated that throughout the present disclosure,discussions utilizing the terms such as “accepting,” “accessing,”“adding,” “analyzing,” “assembling,” “assigning,” “calculating,”“capturing,” “combining,” “comparing,” “collecting,” “creating,”“defining,” “depicting,” “detecting,” “determining,” “displaying,”“establishing,” “executing,” “generating,” “grouping,” “identifying,”“initiating,” “interacting,” “modifying,” “monitoring,” “moving,”“outputting,” “performing,” “placing,” “presenting,” “processing,”“programming,” “querying,” “removing,” “repeating,” “sampling,”“sorting,” “storing,” “using,” or the like, refer to the action andprocesses of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device,that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical(electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers andmemories into other data similarly represented as physical quantitieswithin the computer system memories or registers or other suchinformation storage, transmission or display devices.

Examples of the Disclosure

FIG. 1 shows example system 100 for collecting information aboutportable device usage in accordance with some examples of the presentdisclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, network 110 may comprise a wired and/orwireless network, where network 110 couples portable devices 120 a-120c. Portable devices 120 a-120 c may comprise cellular telephones,portable gaming devices, portable media devices, portable digitalassistants (PDAs), hand-held computer systems, etc. In some examples,network 110 may comprise the internet. Additionally, Informationprocessor 130 and portable device usage information database 140 arecoupled via network 120.

One or more of portable devices 120 a-120 c may comprise a respectiveinformation collection component for collecting usage information fromthe portable device. Usage information collected from each portabledevice (e.g., 120 a-120 c) may be communicated over network 120 toinformation processor 130 for processing and/or storage in database 140.It should be appreciated that processor 130 and database 140 may beintegrated within the same system in some examples, where database 140may comprise a memory of the system.

Portable devices 120 a-120 c may comprise a panel of wireless devices,where users of the portable devices (e.g., 120 a-120 c) may comprise apanel of users. The panel's usage of the portable devices may be used todetermine various metrics concerning the mobile device. For example,metrics concerning portable device usage associated with an internetportal status, a wireless network status, streaming media, interactivegaming, mobile conferencing, and wireless internet protocol (IP) usagemay be determined as discussed with regard to the subsequent figuresbelow.

FIG. 2 shows example process 200 for collecting information aboutportable device usage associated with at least one of an internet portalstatus and a wireless network status in accordance with some examples ofthe present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, step 210 involves monitoringusage of a portable device (e.g., 120 a-120 c) associated with aninternet portal status. In one embodiment, the internet portal statusmay comprise “on-portal” and/or “off-portal.” As such, on-portal usage(e.g., interaction with a website of the carrier providing service tothe portable device) and/or off-portal usage (e.g., interaction with awebsite which is not affiliated with the carrier) of the portable devicemay be monitored in step 210.

Step 220 involves monitoring usage of a portable device (e.g., 120 a-120c) associated with a wireless network status. In one embodiment, thewireless network status may comprise “on-network” and/or “off-network.”As such, on-network usage (e.g., interaction over a network of a carrierproviding wireless service for the cellular phone) and/or off-networkusage (e.g., interaction over a network which is not affiliated with thecarrier) of the portable device may be monitored in step 220.

As shown in FIG. 2, step 230 involves collecting information about theusage (e.g., monitored in steps 210 and/or 220). As such, theinformation collected may comprise on-portal usage information and/oroff-portal usage information where on-portal and/or off-portal usage ismonitored. Where on-network and/or off-network usage is monitored, theinformation collected may comprise on-network usage information and/oroff-network usage information. And in some examples, the usageinformation may be collected in accordance with U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,745,011and 6,754,470, the disclosure of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

Step 240 involves collecting additional information about the timeand/or place of the usage (e.g., monitored in steps 210 and/or 220).Thereafter, the collected information (e.g., that collected in steps 230and/or 240) may be processed in step 250. Processing may comprisecleaning, organizing, filtering, sorting, encoding, encrypting, applyingtime and/or location stamps to, etc. the data. In some examples, thecollected information may be processed by the portable device (e.g., 120a-120 c) and/or by an external system (e.g., processor 130). Afterprocessing, the information may be stored in step 260. In some examples,the information may be stored in the portable device (e.g., 120 a-120 c)and/or in an external memory (e.g., database 140).

FIG. 3 shows example portable device 300 for collecting informationabout portable device usage associated with at least one of an internetportal status and a wireless network status in accordance with someexamples of the present disclosure. In some examples, portable device300 may be used to implement any of portable devices 120 a-120 c of FIG.1.

As shown in FIG. 3, portable device 300 comprises information collectioncomponent 310 for monitoring (e.g., in accordance with steps 210 and/or220 of FIG. 2) and collecting (e.g., in accordance with step 230 of FIG.2) on-portal usage information 320, off-portal usage information 330,on-network usage information 340, off-network usage information 350, orany combination thereof. Component 310 may also monitor time information360 and location information 370, where information 360 and/or 370 maybe used to determine a time and/or place of usage associated withinformation 320-350, or any subset thereof (e.g., in accordance withstep 240 of FIG. 2). As such, in some examples, information 360 may beused to time stamp a given usage of portable device 300, whereasinformation 370 may be used to location stamp a given usage of portabledevice 300.

After collecting information 320-370, or any subset thereof, component310 may output collected information 380. In some examples, information380 may be output to a processor (e.g., for processing) and/or memory(e.g., for storage) of portable device 300. Alternatively, information380 may be output to an external processor {e.g., 130) and/or externalmemory (e.g., 140).

Thus, by utilizing components (e.g., 310) of the portable device (e.g.,300) itself to monitor the portable device usage (e.g., as representedby information 320-370 input to component 310), information may becollected across various internet portals and/or networks. As such,examples enable the collection of information for on-portal/off-portalusage as well as on-network/off-network data usage. Additionally, theinformation collected may be more complete and representative of actualdevice usage given that it is monitored and collected on the portabledevice itself. Further, examples enable a single entity to collect thecomplete and representative usage information from the portable device(e.g., 300), where the entity may be in agreement (e.g., opt-in, etc.)with a user of the portable device (e.g., 300) regarding the collectionof such usage information.

FIG. 4 shows example process 400 for collecting information aboutportable device usage associated with at least one of streaming media,interactive gaming, and mobile conferencing in accordance with someexamples of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, step 410involves monitoring the usage of a portable device (e.g., 120 a-120 c ofFIG. 1) associated with streaming media (e.g., mobile TV, internetradio, etc.). The media may comprise audio and/or video streamed from acontent source to the portable device (e.g., 120 a-120 c). In someexamples, the usage may comprise inputs by a user (e.g., changingchannels, adjusting the volume, etc.) to the portable device and/or thecontent source. Alternatively, the usage may comprise characteristics ofthe content stream (e.g., identification of the content, data embeddedin the stream, changes in the content stream, etc.).

Step 420 involves monitoring usage of a portable device (e.g., 120 a-120c of FIG. 1) associated with interactive gaming. The interactive gamemay be played from the portable device (e.g., 120 a-120 c) with oragainst users of systems or devices in communication with the portabledevice (e.g., 120 a-120 c). The usage may comprise inputs by a user(e.g., to play the game, to adjust play options, etc.) to the portabledevice and/or the content source. Alternatively, the usage may comprisecharacteristics of the interactive game play (e.g., number of usersplaying the game, type of interaction, frequency of the interaction,duration of the interaction, etc.).

As shown in FIG. 4, step 430 involves monitoring usage of a portabledevice (e.g., 120 a-120 c of FIG. 1) associated with mobileconferencing. The mobile conferencing may comprise simultaneousconnection (e.g., enabling communication) between three or more portabledevices in some examples. The usage may comprise inputs by a user (e.g.,to initiate a call, to setup the conferencing, to communicate with otherconferencing devices, etc.) to the portable device and/or other devices(e.g., engaged in the mobile conference). Alternatively, the usage maycomprise characteristics of the mobile conferencing (e.g., number ofdevices involved in the mobile conferencing, duration of the mobileconference, content of the communications between conferencing devices,etc.).

As shown in FIG. 4, step 440 involves collecting information about theusage (e.g., monitored in steps 410, 420, 430, or a combinationthereof). As such, the information collected may comprise streamingmedia usage information where streaming media usage is monitored. Whereinteractive gaming usage is monitored, the information collected maycomprise interactive gaming usage information. Additionally, theinformation collected may comprise mobile conferencing usage informationwhere mobile conferencing is monitored. In some examples, theinformation may be collected in real-time. And in some examples, theusage information may be collected in accordance with U.S. Pat. Nos.6,745,011 and 6,754,470, the disclosure of which are hereby incorporatedby reference.

Step 450 involves collecting additional information about the timeand/or place of the usage (e.g., monitored in steps 410, 420, 430, or acombination thereof). In some examples, the additional information maybe collected in realtime. Thereafter, the collected information (e.g.,that collected in steps 440 and/or 450) may be processed in step 460.Processing may comprise cleaning, organizing, filtering, sorting,encoding, encrypting, applying time and/or location stamps to, etc. thedata. In some examples, the collected information may be processed bythe portable device (e.g., 120 a-120 c) and/or by an external system(e.g., processor 130). After processing, the information may be storedin step 470. In some examples, the information may be stored in theportable device (e.g., 120 a-120 c) and/or in an external memory (e.g.,database 140).

FIG. 5 shows example portable device 500 for collecting informationabout portable device usage associated with at least one of streamingmedia, interactive gaming, and mobile conferencing in accordance withsome examples of the present disclosure. In some examples, portabledevice 500 may be used to implement any of portable devices 120 a-120 cof FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 5, portable device 500 comprises information collectioncomponent 510 for monitoring (e.g., in accordance with steps 410, 420,430, or a combination thereof of FIG. 4) and collecting (e.g., inaccordance with step 440 of FIG. 4) streaming media usage information520, interactive gaming usage information 530, mobile conferencing usageinformation 540, or any combination thereof. Component 510 may alsomonitor time information 560 and location information 570, whereinformation 560 and/or 570 may be used to determine a time and/or placeof usage associated with information 520-540, or any subset thereof(e.g., in accordance with step 450 of FIG. 4). As such, in someexamples, information 560 may be used to time stamp a given usage ofportable device 500, whereas information 570 may be used to locationstamp a given usage of portable device 500.

After collecting information 520-570, or any subset thereof, component510 may output collected information 580. In some examples, information580 may be output to a processor (e.g., for processing) and/or memory(e.g., for storage) of portable device 500. Alternatively, information580 may be output to an external processor (e.g., 130) and/or externalmemory (e.g., 140).

Thus, by utilizing components (e.g., 510) of the portable device (e.g.,500) itself to monitor the portable device usage (e.g., as representedby information 520-570 input to component 510), information regardinginteractions of the portable device with many different servers,systems, portable devices, etc. may be obtained. Additionally, theinformation collected may be more complete and representative of actualdevice usage given that it is monitored and collected on the portabledevice itself. Further, examples enable a single entity to collect thecomplete and representative usage information from the portable device(e.g., 500), where the entity may be in agreement (e.g., opt-in, etc.)with a user of the portable device (e.g., 500) regarding the collectionof such usage information.

FIG. 6 shows example process 600 for collecting information aboutwireless internet protocol usage of a portable device in accordance withsome examples of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, step 610involves monitoring wireless IP usage of a portable device (e.g., 120a-120 c of FIG. 1). The wireless IP usage (e.g., Wi-Fi, WiMAX, etc.) maycomprise any wireless data and/or voice communication (e.g., inaccordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard, IEEE 802.16 standard, etc.).For example, wireless IP voice usage may comprise voice usage (e.g.,voice over IP (VOIP), etc.) outside a carrier network, where voices orother sounds are transformed in data (e.g., packetized) and communicatedas such. Additionally, wireless IP data usage may comprise data usageoutside a carrier network, where information other than voices and/orsounds are communicated. The communications may be over one or morewireless IP networks and via one or more internet servers, where thenetworks may be affiliated with one or more business entities.Additionally, the communications may be communicated over one or moretypes of wireless IP networks (e.g., Wi-Fi, WiMAX, etc.).

Step 620 involves collecting information about the wireless IP usage(e.g., monitored in step 610). As such, the information collected maycomprise wireless IP usage information. In some examples, theinformation may be collected in real-time. And in some examples, theusage information may be collected in accordance with U.S. Pat. Nos.6,745,011 and 6,754,470, the disclosure of which are hereby incorporatedby reference.

Step 630 involves collecting additional information about the timeand/or place of the usage (e.g., monitored in step 610). Thereafter, thecollected information (e.g., that collected in steps 620 and/or 630) maybe processed in step 640. Processing may comprise cleaning, organizing,filtering, sorting, encoding, encrypting, applying time and/or locationstamps to, etc. the data. In some examples, the collected informationmay be processed by the portable device (e.g., 120 a-120 c) and/or by anexternal system (e.g., processor 130). After processing, the informationmay be stored in step 650. In some examples, the information may bestored in the portable device (e.g., 120 a-120 c) and/or in an externalmemory (e.g., database 140).

FIG. 7 shows example portable device 700 for collecting informationabout wireless internet protocol usage of the portable device inaccordance with some examples of the present disclosure. In someexamples, portable device 700 may be used to implement any of portabledevices 120 a-120 c of FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 7, portable device 700 comprises information collectioncomponent 710 for monitoring (e.g., in accordance with step 610 of FIG.6) and collecting (e.g., in accordance with step 620 of FIG. 6) wirelessIP voice usage information 720 and/or wireless IP data usage information730. Component 710 may also monitor time information 760 and locationinformation 770, where information 760 and/or 770 may be used todetermine a time and/or place of usage associated with information720-740, or any subset thereof (e.g., in accordance with step 630 ofFIG. 6). As such, in some examples, information 760 may be used to timestamp a given usage of portable device 700, whereas information 770 maybe used to location stamp a given usage of portable device 700.

After collecting information 720-730, or any subset thereof, component710 may output collected information 780. In some examples, information780 may be output to a processor (e.g., for processing) and/or memory(e.g., for storage) of portable device 500. Alternatively, information780 may be output to an external processor (e.g., 130) and/or externalmemory (e.g., 140).

Thus, by utilizing components (e.g., 710) of the portable device (e.g.,700) itself to monitor the portable device usage (e.g., as representedby information 720-770 input to component 710), information regardingwireless IP communications over one or more wireless IP networksaffiliated with one or more business entities, as well as communicationsover one or more types of wireless IP networks, may be obtained.Additionally, the information collected may be more complete andrepresentative of actual device usage given that it is monitored andcollected on the portable device itself. Further, examples enable asingle entity to collect the complete and representative usageinformation from the portable device (e.g., 700), where the entity maybe in agreement (e.g., opt-in, etc.) with a user of the portable device(e.g., 700) regarding the collection of such usage information.

FIG. 8 shows diagram 800 of exemplary wireless networks grouped bybusiness entity association in accordance with some examples of thepresent disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, wireless networks 810-860 arecoupled to internet 870, where networks 810-830 are associated withbusiness entity 880 and networks 840-860 are associated with businessentity 890. Networks 810-860 may comprise wireless IP networks utilizingIEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16, or other wireless communication standards.

FIG. 9 shows exemplary geographical layout 900 of exemplary wirelessnetworks 810-860 in accordance with some examples of the presentdisclosure. As shown in FIG. 9, the networks associated with businessentity 880 (e.g., networks 810-830) are not shaded, while the networksassociated with business entity 890 (e.g., networks 840-860) are shaded.As such, when traveling along exemplary path 910, a portable device(e.g., 120 a-120 c, 300, 500, 700, etc.) may communicate with wirelessnetworks 840, 810, 850 and 830, where transitions between wirelessnetworks may occur in the following order: 840, 810, 850, 830 and 850.However, when traveling along exemplary path 920, a portable device(e.g., 120 a-120 c, 300, 500, 700, etc.) may communicate with wirelessnetworks 840, 820, 830 and 860, where transitions between wirelessnetworks may occur in that order. In some examples, example paths 910and 920 may represent a change in location of a portable device overtime (e.g., when a user carrying the portable device walks through acity, etc.).

In some examples, to provide nearly uninterrupted service as theportable device travels along path (e.g., 910, 920, etc.) throughwireless networks 810-860, business entities 880 and 890 can agree toprovide service to the other entity's subscribers in exchange forpayment, etc. Information regarding such payments between businessentities is commonly referred to as “payment tracking.” For example,when a subscriber of services provided by business entity 890 travelsalong path 920 as shown in FIG. 9, business entity 890 may pay businessentity 880 for wireless service provided to the subscriber whentraveling through wireless networks 820 and 830.

Although business entity 890 may be aware of the subscriber's wirelessIP usage when in the geographical areas covered by wireless networks 840and 860, business entity 890 cannot monitor such wireless IP usage whenin wireless networks (e.g., 820 and 830) affiliated with business entity880 using conventional techniques. Similarly, using conventionaltechniques, business entity 890 is unable to monitor wireless IP usageby subscribers associated with other business entities when thesubscribers access wireless networks affiliated with other businessentities. As such, examples of the present disclosure enable paymenttracking (e.g., by a business entity affiliated with a wireless network,by a third party, etc.) by monitoring and/or collecting informationrelated to the wireless IP usage on the portable device (e.g., 120 a-120c, 300, 500, 700, etc.) itself. Since the portable device (e.g., 120a-120 c, 300, 500, 700, etc.) can monitor its own wireless IP usageregardless of which wireless network (or type of wireless network) itmay be communicating with at any given time, embodiments enablecollection of complete and representative information related to paymenttracking for the wireless IP usage of the portable device (e.g., 120a-120 c, 300, 500, 700, etc.).

Although wireless networks 810-860 are depicted in FIG. 9 as adjoiningportions without gaps, it should be appreciated that the wirelessnetworks may be alternatively arranged (e.g., with one or more gaps,etc.) in other examples. Additionally, it should be appreciated that alarger or smaller number of wireless networks may be present in otherexamples. Although wireless networks are apportioned to only twobusiness entities in FIGS. 8 and 9, it should be appreciated that thewireless networks may be apportioned to a larger or smaller number ofbusiness entities in other examples. Further, it should be appreciatedthat a large or smaller number of wireless networks may be apportionedto the business entities in other examples.

Computer System Platform

FIG. 10 shows examples computer system 1000 upon which examples of thepresent disclosure may be implemented. With reference to FIG. 10,portions of the present disclosure are comprised of computer-readableand computer-executable instructions that reside, for example, incomputer system 1000 which may be used as a part of a general purposecomputer network (not shown). It is appreciated that computer system1000 of FIG. 10 is merely exemplary. As such, the present disclosure canoperate within a number of different computer systems includinggeneral-purpose computer systems, embedded computer systems, laptopcomputer systems, hand-held computer systems, portable computer systems(e.g., portable devices), and stand-alone computer systems.

In the present example, computer system 1000 includes an address/databus 1002 for conveying digital information between the variouscomponents, a central processor unit (CPU) 1004 coupled to bus 1002 forprocessing the digital information and instructions, a volatile mainmemory 1006 coupled to bus 1002 comprised of volatile random accessmemory (RAM) for storing the digital information and instructions, and anon-volatile read only memory (ROM) 1008 coupled to bus 1002 for storinginformation and instructions of a more permanent (e.g., non-transitory)nature. In addition, computer system 1000 may also include a datastorage device 1010 (e.g., a magnetic, optical, floppy, tape, or otherdrive) coupled to bus 1002 for storing larger amounts of data. It shouldbe noted that the software program for performing the method ofcollecting information about usage of a portable device of the presentdisclosure may be stored in main memory 1006, ROM 1008, storage device1010, registers within CPU 1004 (not shown), and/or in an externalstorage device (not shown) (e.g., all of which may be non-transitorymachine readable media).

As shown in FIG. 10, computer system 1000 may be coupled via bus 1002 toan optional display device 1012 (e.g., a CRT monitor, LCD monitor, etc.)for displaying information received from computer system 1000. Anoptional input device 1014 (e.g., an alphanumeric keyboard) may also becoupled to computer system 1000 via bus 1002 for communicatinginformation and command selections to CPU 1004. Cursor control device1016 (e.g., a mouse, trackball, light pen, etc.) may also be coupled tocomputer system 1000 via bus 1002 for communicating directioninformation and command selections to CPU 1004 and for controllingcursor movement (e.g., on display 1012). Additionally, computer system1000 can include a mechanism for emitting an audible signal (not shown).

Computer system 1000 may also include a communication interface 1018coupled to bus 1002. Communication interface 1018 provides a two-waydata communication coupling to local network 1022 via network link 1020.For example, communication interface 1018 may be an integrated servicesdigital network (ISDN) device or modem to provide a data communicationconnection to a corresponding type of telephone line. As anotherexample, communication interface 1018 may be a local area network (LAN)device to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN.And as yet another example, network link 1020 may comprise a wirelessconnection between communication interface 1018 and local network 1022.Regardless of the implementation utilized, communication interface 1018may send and receive electrical, electromagnetic, and/or optical signalsthat carry digital data streams representing various types ofinformation.

As shown in FIG. 10, network link 1020 may provide data communicationthrough one or more networks to other data devices. For example, networklink 1020 may provide a connection through local network 1022 to a hostcomputer 1024 or to data equipment operated by internet service provider(ISP) 1026. ISP 1026 in turn provides data communication servicesthrough the worldwide packet data communication network, now commonlyreferred to as the “Internet” 870. Local network 1022 and Internet 870may use electrical, electromagnetic, and/or optical signals to conveydigital data streams. The signals through the various networks andnetwork link 1020, which carry digital data to and from computer system1000, are exemplary forms of carrier waves transporting information.

Accordingly, computer system 1000 can send and receive messages throughnetworks(s), network link 1020, and communication interface 1018. Forexample, server 1030 may transmit a requested code for an applicationprogram through Internet 870, ISP 1026, local network 1022, andcommunication interface 1018. The received code may be executed by CPU1004 upon receipt, and/or be stored in one of the coupled memory devices(e.g., storage device 1010, ROM 1008, RAM 1006, etc.) for laterexecution.

In the foregoing specification, examples of the disclosure have beendescribed with reference to numerous specific details that may vary fromimplementation to implementation. Thus, the sole and exclusive indicatorof what is, and is intended by the applicant to be, the invention is theset of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form inwhich such claims issue, including any subsequent correction. Hence, nolimitation, element, property, feature, advantage, or attribute that isnot expressly recited in a claim should limit the scope of such claim inany way. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regardedin an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

1. A method of collecting information about usage of a mobile device,the method comprising: monitoring first usage of the mobile deviceassociated with accessing, via the mobile device, a first internetwebsite of a communication service carrier providing a servicesubscription for the mobile device; monitoring second usage of themobile device associated with accessing, via the mobile device, a secondinternet website not of the communication service carrier, wherein themonitoring of the first and second usage is performed on the mobiledevice; and collecting first and second usage information about thefirst and second usage, the first usage information indicating that thefirst internet website is an internet portal of the communicationservice carrier.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: processingthe first and second usage information; and storing the first and secondusage information.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the storing of thefirst and second usage information comprises storing the first andsecond usage information on the mobile device.
 4. The method of claim 1further comprising collecting additional information about at least oneof a time or a location associated with the first and second usage. 5.The method of claim 1, further comprising collecting additionalinformation indicating whether the access of the first internet websiteis performed while the mobile device is in communication with a networkoperated by the communication service carrier providing the servicesubscription for the mobile device.
 6. The method of claim 1, whereinthe communication service carrier is a wireless service carrier.
 7. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising monitoring a wireless networkstatus of a wireless network over which the mobile device communicates.8. The method of claim 7, wherein the wireless network status comprisesan on-network status or an off-network status, and further comprisingcollecting on-network usage information or off-network usage informationbased on the wireless network status, wherein the on-network statusindicates that the mobile device is accessing a network operated by thecommunication service carrier providing the service subscription for themobile device, and wherein the off-network status indicates that themobile device is accessing a network not operated by the communicationservice carrier.
 9. A mobile device comprising: a processor; a memory;and an information collection component to: monitor first usage of themobile device associated with accessing, via the mobile device, a firstinternet website of a communication service carrier providing a servicesubscription for the mobile device; monitor second usage of the mobiledevice associated with accessing, via the mobile device, a secondinternet website not of the communication service carrier, wherein themonitoring of the first and second usage is performed on the mobiledevice; and collect first and second usage information about the firstand second usage, the first usage information indicating that the firstinternet website is an internet portal of the communication servicecarrier.
 10. The mobile device of claim 9, wherein the processor isoperable to process the first and second usage information, and whereinthe memory is operable to store the first and second usage information.11. The mobile device of claim 9, wherein the information collectioncomponent is further to collect additional information about at leastone of a time or a location associated with the first and second usage.12. The mobile device of claim 9, wherein the information collectioncomponent is further to collect additional information indicatingwhether the access of the first internet website is performed while themobile device is in communication with a network operated by thecommunication service carrier providing the service subscription for themobile device.
 13. The mobile device of claim 9, wherein thecommunication service carrier is a wireless service carrier.
 14. Themobile device of claim 9, wherein the information collection componentis further to collect a wireless network status of a wireless networkover which the mobile device communicates.
 15. The mobile device ofclaim 14, wherein the wireless network status comprises an on-networkstatus or an off-network status, and wherein the information collectioncomponent is further to collect on-network usage information or offnetwork usage information based on the wireless network status, whereinthe on-network status indicates that the mobile device is accessing anetwork operated by the communication service carrier providing theservice subscription for the mobile device, and wherein the off-networkstatus indicates that the mobile device is accessing a network notoperated by the communication service carrier.
 16. A method ofcollecting information about usage of a mobile device, the methodcomprising: monitoring usage of the mobile device, wherein themonitoring is performed on the mobile device; determining a quantity ofa plurality of other end-user devices simultaneously in communicationwith the mobile device in association with an interactive processconducted via the mobile device and the plurality of other end-userdevices; and sending the quantity of the plurality of the other end-userdevices simultaneously in communication with the mobile device to athird-party entity that is separate from an entity facilitating theinteractive process.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the interactiveprocess is a mobile conferencing process.
 18. The method of claim 16further comprising storing the quantity of the plurality of otherend-user devices in the mobile device.
 19. The method of claim 16further comprising collecting additional information about at least oneof a time or a location associated with the quantity of the plurality ofother end-user devices.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein thedetermining of the quantity of other end-user devices occurs inreal-time.
 21. A method of collecting information about usage of amobile device, the method comprising: monitoring usage of the mobiledevice, wherein the monitoring is performed on the mobile device; anddetermining a quantity of a plurality of other end-user devicessimultaneously in communication with the mobile device in associationwith an interactive process conducted via the mobile device and theplurality of other end-user devices, wherein the interactive process isan interactive gaming process.
 22. The method of claim 21 furthercomprising collecting user inputs associated with the interactive gamingprocess.
 23. The method of claim 21 further comprising collecting atleast one of a type of interaction, a frequency of interaction, or aduration of interaction associated with the interactive gaming process.24. The method of claim 17 further comprising collecting at least one ofa duration of the mobile conferencing process or content ofcommunications between the mobile device and the plurality of otherend-user devices involved in the mobile conferencing process.
 25. Amobile device comprising: a processor; a memory; and an informationcollection component to: monitor usage of the mobile device; determine aquantity of a plurality of other end-user devices simultaneously incommunication with the mobile device in association with an interactiveprocess conducted via the mobile device and the plurality of otherend-user devices; and send the quantity of the plurality of the otherend-user devices simultaneously in communication with the mobile deviceto a third-party entity that is separate from an entity facilitating theinteractive process.
 26. The mobile device of claim 25, wherein theinteractive process is a mobile conferencing process.
 27. The mobiledevice of claim 25, wherein the information collection component isfurther to collect additional information about at least one of a timeor a location associated with the quantity of the plurality of otherend-user devices.
 28. A mobile device comprising: a processor; a memory;and an information collection component to: monitor usage of the mobiledevice; and determine a quantity of a plurality of other end-userdevices simultaneously in communication with the mobile device inassociation with an interactive process conducted via the mobile deviceand the plurality of other end-user devices, wherein the interactiveprocess is an interactive gaming process.
 29. The mobile device of claim28, wherein the information collection component is further to collectuser inputs associated with the interactive gaming process.
 30. Themobile device of claim 25, wherein the information collection componentis further to store the quantity of the plurality of other end-userdevices in the mobile device.
 31. The mobile device of claim 28, whereinthe information collection component is further to collect at least oneof a type of interaction, a frequency of interaction, or a duration ofinteraction associated with the interactive gaming process.
 32. A mobiledevice comprising: a processor; a memory; and an information collectioncomponent to: monitor usage of the mobile device; determine a quantityof a plurality of other end-user devices simultaneously in communicationwith the mobile device in association with an interactive processconducted via the mobile device and the plurality of other end-userdevices, wherein the interactive process is a mobile conferencingprocess; and collect at least one of a duration of the mobileconferencing process or content of communications between the mobiledevice and the plurality of other end-user devices involved in themobile conferencing process.
 33. A computer readable storage mediumcomprising instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to atleast: monitor first usage of a mobile device associated with accessing,via the mobile device, a first internet website of a communicationservice carrier providing a service subscription for the mobile device;monitor second usage of the mobile device associated with accessing, viathe mobile device, a second internet website not of the communicationservice carrier, wherein the monitoring of the first and second usage isperformed on the mobile device; and collect first and second usageinformation about the first and second usage, the first usageinformation indicating that the first internet website is an internetportal of the communication service carrier.
 34. The computer readablestorage medium of claim 33 comprising instructions that, when executed,cause the machine to: process the first and second usage information;and store the first and second usage information.
 35. The computerreadable storage medium of claim 34 comprising instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the machine to store of the first and second usageinformation on the mobile device.
 36. The computer readable storagemedium of claim 33 comprising instructions that, when executed, causethe machine to collect additional information about at least one of atime or a location associated with the first and second usage.
 37. Thecomputer readable storage medium of claim 33 comprising instructionsthat, when executed, cause the machine to collect additional informationindicating whether the access of the first internet website is performedwhile the mobile device is in communication with a network operated bythe communication service carrier providing the service subscription forthe mobile device.
 38. The computer readable storage medium of claim 33,wherein the communication service carrier is a wireless service carrier.39. The computer readable storage medium of claim 33 comprisinginstructions that, when executed, cause the machine to monitor awireless network status of a wireless network over which the mobiledevice communicates.
 40. The computer readable storage medium of claim39, comprising instructions that, when executed, cause the machine tocollect on-network usage information or off-network usage informationbased on the wireless network status, wherein the on-network usageinformation indicates that the mobile device is accessing a networkoperated by the communication service carrier providing the servicesubscription for the mobile device, and wherein the off-network usageinformation indicates that the mobile device is accessing a network notoperated by the communication service carrier.
 41. A computer readablestorage medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause amachine to at least: monitor usage of the mobile device, wherein themonitoring is performed on the mobile device; determine a quantity of aplurality of other end-user devices simultaneously in communication withthe mobile device in association with an interactive process conductedvia the mobile device and the plurality of other end-user devices; andsend the quantity of the plurality of the other end-user devicessimultaneously in communication with the mobile device to a third-partyentity that is separate from an entity facilitating the interactiveprocess.
 42. The computer readable storage medium of claim 41, whereinthe interactive process is a mobile conferencing process.
 43. Thecomputer readable storage medium of claim 41 comprising instructionsthat, when executed, cause the machine to store the quantity of theplurality of other end-user devices in the mobile device.
 44. Thecomputer readable storage medium of claim 41 comprising instructionsthat, when executed, cause the machine to collect additional informationabout at least one of a time or a location associated with the quantityof the plurality of other end-user devices.
 45. The computer readablestorage medium of claim 41 comprising instructions that, when executed,cause the machine to determine the quantity of other end-user devices inreal-time.
 46. A computer readable storage medium comprisinginstructions that, when executed, cause a machine to at least: monitorusage of the mobile device, wherein the monitoring is performed on themobile device; and determine a quantity of a plurality of other end-userdevices simultaneously in communication with the mobile device inassociation with an interactive process conducted via the mobile deviceand the plurality of other end-user devices, wherein the interactiveprocess is an interactive gaming process.
 47. The computer readablestorage medium of claim 46 comprising instructions that, when executed,cause the machine to collect at least one of a type of interaction, afrequency of interaction, or a duration of interaction associated withthe interactive gaming process.